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Becoming a monk meant separating yourself from society and avoiding any contact with it as far as possible - which is the reason for high walls and strong gateways to most monastic precincts.
On the other hand, the monasteries provided almost the only safe overnight resting places for travellers. These were variously termed hospitals or "spitals", guest-houses which provided free beds and food for anyone for a short period. These guest-houses were usually located just within the monastery gates and far from the monks' cloister and other quiet areas. A monk called the hospitaller was in charge of receiving guests and arranging their meals and accommodation.
Monasteries also had infirmaries which were originally intended as resting-places for elderly and sick monks. Their medicinal expertise was often extended to anyone in the community who fell ill, broke bones or became infirm due to old age.
Monks in many cases took in young local boys to be educated in monastic schools; the intention was that these boys would go on to become monks themselves, but not all did.
For many people in medieval society these were the only opportunities to receive health care or education and in that sense the monks provided a unique service.
Finally, the development of medieval writing, literature, illumination, record-keeping, chronicling current events and producing important and spectacular books began with the monks. Although these documents were intended for the sole use of the monks themselves, they contributed significantly to the literature of the medieval period and many survive as important and valuable treasures of that time.
The nuns were basically cloistered and had little activity with the outside world, although some of them educated young girls in their monasteries.
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RafaBecoming a monk meant separating yourself from society and avoiding any contact with it as far as possible - which is the reason for high walls and strong gateways to most monastic precincts.
On the other hand, the monasteries provided almost the only safe overnight resting places for travellers. These were variously termed hospitals or "spitals", guest-houses which provided free beds and food for anyone for a short period. These guest-houses were usually located just within the monastery gates and far from the monks' cloister and other quiet areas. A monk called the hospitaller was in charge of receiving guests and arranging their meals and accommodation.
Monasteries also had infirmaries which were originally intended as resting-places for elderly and sick monks. Their medicinal expertise was often extended to anyone in the community who fell ill, broke bones or became infirm due to old age.
Monks in many cases took in young local boys to be educated in monastic schools; the intention was that these boys would go on to become monks themselves, but not all did.
For many people in medieval society these were the only opportunities to receive health care or education and in that sense the monks provided a unique service.
Finally, the development of medieval writing, literature, illumination, record-keeping, chronicling current events and producing important and spectacular books began with the monks. Although these documents were intended for the sole use of the monks themselves, they contributed significantly to the literature of the medieval period and many survive as important and valuable treasures of that time.
The nuns were basically cloistered and had little activity with the outside world, although some of them educated young girls in their monasteries.
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How are the monks and monasteries related?
Monks live in monasteries.
What did the monks do during the Middle Ages?
Monks lived in monasteries and separated themselves from the rest of society. Unless their duties required it most monks had very limited contact with people outside of their monastery, and could not leave it without permission. Within the monastery there were two groups, the monks themselves, and also lay brothers. The actual monks were usually from the upper classes. Daily life of the monk was focused on two areas, religious services, and academics. The monks recited prayers throughout the day, celebrating the various Divine Offices. These began with a midnight service (yes, they got up in the middle of the night and went to church) and would proceed at regular intervals until just before retiring for the evening. The other primary activity of the monks was academics. They studies, copied, and occasionally authored books. Books were read aloud at meal times. The monasteries of medieval Europe were the primary repository of written knowledge at the time. The life of the lay brothers was different. Lay brothers came from the common classes, and while they lived withing the monastery they had separate quarters from the monks, with their own dormitory, refectory (a sort of dining hall) and privy. The lay brothers were typically illiterate. The attended but did not perform the Divine Offices. The did the majority of the physical labor at the monastery, such as gathering and cutting wood, washing and mending clothing, baking the bread, tending the garden, and so on. The monks had certain duties as well, and it appears that they cooked some of their own food (a task assigned on a rotating basis). Monks would also staff the infirmary, where sick or aged monks and lay brothers were cared for.
How was the renewed religious feeling of the middle ages shown?
The renewed religious feeling of the Middle Ages resulted in the growth of monks and monasteries and the increased power of the Catholic church in the political arena.
What were the role of the monasteries after the fall of rome?
The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.The monks helped humanity after the fall of the western empire by preserving many of the ancient writings of both Greece and Rome. We get much of our knowledge of ancient thought due to the efforts of the monks.
Who made the first medieval manuscripts?
The Medieval Manuscripts were handwritten by the priests and monks, since they were basically the only ones who could read, write, and let alone understand. Manuscripts were decorated with pictures and patterns.
